Extension table



May l2, i936. N, BEKlUs EXTENSION TABLE Filed April 16, 1934' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Bekius A TTORNEYJ l Nichokl Q m uw v 09 may im i136.. N. BEKIUS 2,040,593

EXTENSION TABLE Filed April 16, 1934 2 SheetS-Sheet 2 A TTORNE Ys.

Patented May 12, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EXTENSION TABLE Application April 16, 1934, Serial No. 720,713

16 Claims.

This invention is a continuation in part of my application for patent Serial No. 489,901, led October 20, 1930. It relates to an end extension table of the type shown in Patent No. 1,736,533 granted on the application of myself and Robert W. Irwin.

The invention has for its objects,

First, to construct an end extension table of the same general type and operating upon the same basic principles, but in a simpler and more economical manner whereby the same results may be obtained at less expense and productive manufacture in large quantity be attained in a better and more facile manner.

Second, to produce an end extension table of the refectory type in which the bars supporting the extension section of the table need not be curved, as in the above mentioned patent, but can be straight and are raised by means of a cam surface and one of the supporting members, so that the bars lie against the table top to steady the extension leaf.

Third, to provide hardware for use in constructing tables of this nature, which hardware 'fis simple and easy to make and can be easily installed.

Objects pertaining to details and an understanding of the invention and of the preferred constructions which have been devised embodying the same may be had from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. l is a fragmentary longitudinal section through the table showing the extension leaf in l "housed condition.

Fig. 2 is a similar View illustrating the extension leaf drawn out and elevated and spaced from the end of the fixed table top member, prior to moving the extension leaf back into abutting "engagement with said fixed top member.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing an end extension leaf in its operative position.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentaryT transverse section .through the table, substantially on the plane of line 4 4 of Fig. l, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the table, with the top member removed therefrom, showing the leaf carrying and supporting construction.

Fig. 6 is a view, similar to Fig. 4, showing a slightly different form ofconstruction for guiding the bars to which the end extension leaf is secured.

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. l showing a different form of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a View showing the form of the inven-jz' tion shown in Fig. 7 vwith the extension top section pulled Aout andV about to be shoved back so that its edge will abut the edge of the table top.

Fig. 9 is a view showing the extension top section in its extended position.

Fig. 10 is a View taken on line IIl-I of Fig. 7.

Fig. ll is a partial plan View of the extension slide and the supporting frame of the table and the supporting member.

Fig. 12 shows a slightly modified form of the invention shown in Figs. l to 6, in which, instead of mortising the bar, a metal member is placed at the sidev of the bar.

Fig. 13 is a View of the form of the invention shown in Fig. l2, showing it in position to support the extension top section in its extended position.

In the drawings similar numerals of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The table comprises corner legs I which support a frame consisting of horizontal side rails 2 and horizontal transverse end rails 3 with an intermediate cross bar 4 above which frame a fixed top member 5 is secured on spacing rails 6, the length of the rails being less than the length of the top member 5, whereby at each end portion of said top member an open space 'I is provided between it and the under frame in which end extension leaves 8 are adapted to be received when the same are in collapsed condition. End extension leaves 8 may be used at one or both ends of the table.

Each end extension leaf is secured at and above the outer ends of parallel bars 9, two of which are preferably used with each leaf, which extend inwardly through openings in the end cross rails 3 of the under frame. The bars 9 at their upper edges and at one side are rabbeted to provide a continuous groove I0 which functionally, except for assembly purposes, is of use only from the outer end of the rail to a vertical passage or slot I I cut in the same side of the bar 9 from its upper to its lower side; and from said passage or slot II a longitudinal mortised slot or passage I2 is out in an outward direction in the same side of the bar for a short distance which, at its end where it joins the passage I I and at its upper side, flares upwardly, the upper side thereof being inclined to the horizontal as indicated at I3.

A guide consisting of a bar I4 of flat metal is set into the upper edge of the cross member 3 of the table frame adjacent each of the openings thereof through which the bar 9 passes, and extends partly into said opening at its upper side so as to be received in the rabbeted groove I0 in the bar 9 to guide and support the same. The inner ends of the bars may be guided, in one form of the construction, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, between downwardly extending spacedapart pins I5 depending from the fixed top member 5, one at each side of each bar, while the lower side of the bar is held from too far downward movement by the bar 4 which extends between the side members 2 of the table frame substantially midway between their ends, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. This bar 4 serves as a fulcrum support for the bars 9 whenever the extension leaf 8 is shifted vertically (sce Fig. 2).

Instead of the pins I5 and the bar 4, a U-shaped metal stirrup I'I may be substituted therefor embracing each of the bars 9 in which the Vertical legs of the stirrup serve the same purpose as the spaced apart pins I5, and the lower connection member of the stirrup the same purpose as the bar 4. This construction is shown in Fig. 6 and is a full equivalent of the guiding means, previously described, shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

When the extension leaf is under the outer end portion of the fixed top member 5, as shown in Fig. l, it is stopped by its inner edge engaging against the spaced bar 6. The bars 9, on which a leaf is mounted, are slidable through the openings in the end cross member 3 in the frame with which said bars are associated; and with the leaf in collapsed position, as in Fig. 1, the bars ride upon the cross bar 4 or upon the lower connecting member of stirrup II, the inward movement of the bars 9 being' permitted through the rabbeted groove I into which the ends of the metal members I4 extend. When the table is to be extended at either end the extension leaf 8 at such end of the table is grasped and pulled outwardly. At least one of the bars 9 of the pair of bars associated with an end leaf 8 carries a stop block I6 at its side, the outer end of which is flush with the inner side of the vertical passage I I. The leaf 8 accordingly may be drawn outwardly until the stop block I6 engages against the end cross bar 3 of the table frame, as shown in Fig. 2, then raised and pushed inwardly, whereupon the projecting ends of the metal members I4 will ride underneath the inclined upper side I3 to carry the same into the horizontal end portions of the mortised slots I2, raising the bars 9 to an upper position where the same lie against the under side of the fixed top member and bring the upper side of the extension leaf 8 into the same horizontal plane as the upper side of the fixed top member.

The extension leaves 8 at either or both ends of the table may be withdrawn in this manner and then pushed back and they will be retained and held Yin position, thereby providing a stable and secure construction and one in which the extension leaves are not liable to move outwardly and disengage from the supporting members I4 and drop downwardly. ToY return the leaves to their collapsed position underneath fixed top 5, it is necessary merely to draw an extension leaf outwardly, drop it down so that the ends of the members I4 can pass upwardly through the passages I I, and thenV move the leaf back under the xed top 5 with the ends of the members I4 traversing the grooves IIl in the bars 9.

It will be observed, referring to Fig. 1, that when the extension leaf 8 is in its retracted position underneath the xed top member 5, its upper surface is spaced a short distance from the lower side of the main top, and it remains thus spaced all of the time that the extension leaf 1s being drawn outwardly until the end of the member I 4 comes to the passage I I. The end of the member I4 riding in the groove I8 in the bar 9 prevents any upward movement of the extension leaf ,until it is passed from under the top 5, thereby positively preventing any scratching or marring of the upper surface of the extension leaf during its movements inward or outward.

Referring to Figs. 7 to 11 inclusive, it will be noted, that I have shown a slightly modified type of the invention. 'Ihere is present the same table frame and top 5 with an opening 'I to receive the extension top section 8, and the bars slide through the end frame members 3 in the same manner. In this form the groove I0 is omitted from the bars and on the member 3 is affixed a member I8 which is a hook like member downwardly facing and adapted to hook around a stud I9 on the bar when the extension top section is pulled out beyond the end of the table top. This hook member is provided with a cut out groove having therein a portion 2I2 adapted to support the extension top in its extended positlon in the plane of the table top and abutting thereagainst. A slanting surface 2I3 is provided which eng-ages the stud I9 as the extension section is being pushed back to position after it has been raised, which by its cam action lifts the free ends of the bars 9 so that they contact with the table top, which is thus supported in extended position and steadied.

Instead of the bar 4 and pins I5 or the stirrup II, I have illustrate-d a slotted bar I04 in which the free ends of the bars 9 slide. This bar |84 serves as a fulcrum point for raising the extension top section and the slides 9 to engage the stud I9 in the hook member I8, and also serves to guide the bars as the extension top section is pushed to its folded or retracted position.

I have shown the member I8 supported on the frame member 3 but it is obvious that it can be supported in some other manner, it being necessary only to have it out of the way of the extension top section 8 when said section is retracted. It will be noted that in this form of the invention it is not necessary to have a stop, such as I6, on the bar 9 because the stud I9 serves as a stop to prevent pulling the extension top section from the table and the table top itself serves as a stop on the inward movement.

In Figs. 12 and 13 I have shown a member 20 to take the place of the mortised groove I I. 'I'his member may be of metal or wood and projects from the side of the bar 9 to form a surface to engage a member, such as the member I4. As the table top is pulled out the member 20 slides under the member I4 and when the extension top section is raised the slanting surface |I3 of the member 20 engages the member I4 and by cam action raises the barsy 9 to contact the bottom of the table top. The surface II2 engages the member I4 to support the extension top section in the plane of the table top and abutting therewith. It will be understood that in the construction of Figs. 12 and 13 the member I4 extends into the opening in the frame member 3 through which the bar 9 passes. In this construction the bar is of less width than the opening in the frame member 3 and the projecting member I4 engages the member 28, as above described. If desired the member I4 can be placed to the rear of the member l3 and can be supported on the frame or on the table top in any desired manner just so that it does not interfere with the extension top section when it is in retracted position.

I have illustrated the member I4 as in Figs. '1 to 6. but wish to call attention to the possibility of changing this arrangement. It is likewise possible to rearrange the memberA I4 in the construction of Figs. 1 to 6 and have it to the rear of the frame member 3 and supported on the frame in a different manner, merely providing that it engage the rabbeted slot I I when the extension top is raised.

The construction of the table top described is a particularly practical one from the standpoint of manufacture and is one economical to produce by quantity production methods of manufacture. It is efficient in every respect to accomplish the purposes for which it is designed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an extension table, a main top, an under supporting frame for the top to which said top is attached, there being an open space at an end of the table between the main top and the supporting frame, an extension top section adapted to be located within the open space when not in use, straight bars secured to said extension section slidably mounted on the supporting frame for outward movement to carry the extension section outwardly beyond the end Iof the table, said bars passing through openings in an end of the supporting frame, means for maintaining the inner end portions of said bars against downward movement, said bars each having a longitudinal groove therein, said grooves extending to the inner ends of the respective bars for the purpose described, a vertical passage from an intermediate portion of said groove downwardly in the bar, and a mortised opening in the side of the bar below said groove, a member fixed to the end member of the frame at each opening thereof and extending thereinto adapted to be received in said groove, traverse said passage in the bar and seat in the mortised opening of the bar, for the purposes specied, and removable stop means on said bars, said stop means being adapted to abut against the supporting frame when the member sliding in said groove is located adjacent said vertical passage which leads downwardly from said groove.

2. Inan extension table, a main top, an under supporting frame for the top to which the top is secured, there being an open space at an end of the table between the main top and the supporting frame, an extension top section adapted to be located within said open space under the main top when not in use, bars secured to said top section projecting therefrom inwardly through an end member of the supporting frame, said end member having openings for the passage of the bars, said bars, each at its upper edge and at one side, having a longitudinal groove therein and each of said bars at the same side thereof at a point between its ends having a vertical passage and a mortised opening or recess therein extending back under said groove, said longitudinal grooves extending to the inner ends of the bars, a flat member secured at the upper edge of the end frame member at each opening, where a bar passes therethrough, having an end portion extending into said opening to be received in the groove of the adjacent bar, pass through said vertical passage and seat in said mortised opening, and removable stop means adapted to prevent excessive outward movement of said bars.

3. In an extension table, a main top, an under supporting frame for the top to which the top is secured, there being an open space at an end of the table between the main top and the supporting frame, an extension top section adapted to be located in said open space when not in use, straight bars attached to said section slidably mounted on and passing through an end member of the supporting frame, whereby the top section may be moved outwardly beyond the end of the table, said bars each being longitudinally grooved, a member secured on the end member of the frame projecting into the opening through which each bar passes and entering the groove in said bar, and means on each bar between its ends with which said member is adapted to engage when the extension top section has been drawn outwardly, elevated and moved back to bring an edge thereof in abutting engagement with the end of the main topi, to hold the extension top section in the same plane as the main top, said straight bars contacting from their point of attachment to their inner ends with the underside of said main top of the table, said bars having their free ends vertically movable a predetermined distance whereby alining movement may be had between said member and the groove in which it rides.

4. In an extension table, a main top, an under supporting frame for the top to which the top is secured, there being an open space at an end of the table between the main top and the supporting frame, an extension top Section adapted to be located in said open space when not in use, bars attached to said section slidably mounted on and passing through an end member of the supporting frame, whereby the top section may be moved outwardly beyond the end of the table, said bars each being longitudinally grooved a member secured on the end member of the frame projecting into the opening through which each bar passes and entering the groove in said bar, a

mortised opening in the side of each bar com municating with said groove adapted to receive said member wheny the extension top section has been drawn outwardly, elevated, and moved back to bring an edge thereof in abutting engagement with the end of the main top to hold the extension top section in the same plane as the main top, said mortised opening having its top portion extending from adjacent said groove and slanting downwardly and outwardly from the table and adapted to engage said member when said extension top section has been raised and is being moved back to raise said bar so that it contacts with the under side of the main table top.

5. In an extension table, a main top, an under supporting frame for the top to which the top is i secured, there being an open space at an end of the table between the main top and the supporting frame, an extension top section adapted to be located in said open space when not in use, straight bars attached to said section slidably mounted on and passing through an end member of the supporting frame, whereby the top section may be moved outwardly beyond the end of the table, said bars each being longitudinally grooved, a member secured on the end member of the frame projecting into the opening through which each bar passes and entering the groove in said bar, a mortised opening in the side of each bar communicating with said groove adapted to receive said member when the extension top section has been drawn outwardly, elevated and moved back to bring an edge thereof in abutting engagement with the end of the main top to hold the extension top section in the same plane as the main top, said mortised opening having a top portion slanting downwardly and outwardly from the table and adapted to engage Said member when said extension top section has been raised and is being moved back to raise said bar so that it contacts with the under side of the main table top from its free end to its point of attachment to the extension top section.

6. In an extension table, a main top, an under supporting frame for the top to which the top is secured, there being an open space at an end of the table between the main top and the supporting frame, an extension top section adapted tobe located in said open space when not in use, bars attached to said section slidably mounted on and passing through an end member of the supporting frame, whereby the top section may be moved outwardly beyond the end of the table, said bars each being longitudinally grooved, a member secured on the end member of the frame projecting into the opening through which each bar passes and entering the groove in said bar, a mortised opening in the side of each bar communicating with said groove adapted to receive said member when the extension top section has been drawn outwardly, elevated and moved back to bring an edge thereof in abutting engagement with the end of the main top to hold the extension top section in the same plane as the main top, said mortised opening having its top portion slanting downwardly and outwardly from the table and adapted to engage said member when said extension top section has been raised and is being moved back to raise said bar so that it contacts with the under side of the main table top.

7. In an extension table, a main top, an under supporting frame for the top to which the top is secured, there being an open space at an end of the table between the main top and the supporting frame, an extension topsection adapted to be located in said open space when inot in use, bars attached to said sectionslidably mounted on and passing through an end member of the supporting frame, whereby the top section may be moved outwardly beyond the end of the table, said bars each being longitudinally grooved, a guide member disposed on the frame projecting intothe groove in said bar, a mortised opening in the side of each bar communicating with said groove adapted to receive said guide member when the extension top section has been drawn outwardly, elevated and moved back to bring an edge thereof in abutting engagement with the end of the main top to hold the extension top section inthe same plane as the main top, said mortised opening having its top portion slanting downwardly and outwardly from the table and adapted to engage said member when said extension top Section has been raised and is being moved back to raise said bar so that it contacts with the under side of the main table top.

8. In an extension table, a main top, an under supporting frame for the top` to which the top is secured. there being an open space at one end of the table between the main top and the supporting frame, an extension top section adapted to be located in said open space when not in use, bars attached to said section slidably mounted on and passing through an end member of the supporting frame whereby the top section may be moved outwardly beyond the end of the table, a guide member to support said extension top section in the plane of the table top, a mortised opening in the side of each bar attached to receive said guide member when the extension top section has been drawn outwardly, elevated and moved back to bring theV edge in abutting engagement with the end of the main top to hold the extension top section in the same plane as the main top, said mortised opening having a slanting portion extending downwardly and outwardly from the table and adapted to engage said guide member when said extension top section has been raised and is being moved back toward the table top, whereby said bars are raised to contact the under side of the table when said extension top section is in extended position, and means to support said bars while said extension top section is being raised to engage said member in said mortised opening.

9. In an extension table, a main top, an under supporting frame for the top to which the top is secured there being an open space at one end of the table between the main top and the supporting frame, an extension top section adapted to be located in said open space when not in use, bars attached to said section slidably mounted on and passing through an end member of the supporting frame whereby the top section may be moved outwardly beyond the end of the table, a member to support said extension top section in the plane of the table top, a mortised opening in the side of each bar adapted toreceive said member when the extension top section has been drawn outwardly, elevated and moved back to bring the edge in abutting engagement with the end of the main top to hold the extension top section in the same plane as the main top, said mortised opening having a slanting portion extending downwardly and outwardly from the tab-le and adapted to engage said member when said extension top section has been raised and is being moved back toward the table top, whereby said bars are raised to contact the under side of the table when said extension top section is in extended position.

10. In an extension table, a main top, an under supporting frame for the top to which the top is secured there being an open space at one end of the table between the main top and the supporting frame, an extension top section adapted to be located in said open space when not in use, bars attached to said section slidably mounted on and passing through an end member lof the supporting frame whereby the top section may be moved outwardly beyond the end of the table, a member to support said extension top section in the plane of the table top, a downwardly facing surface to engage said member when the extension top section has been drawn outwardly, elevated and moved back to bring the edge in abutting engagement with the end of the main top to hold the extension top section in the same plane as the main top, said downwardly facing surface having a, slanting cam portion adapted to engage said member when said extension top section has been raised and is being moved back toward the table top, whereby the free ends of said bars are raised by cam action to contact the under side of the table when said extension top section is in extended position, and means to support the free ends of said bars while said extension top section is being raised to engage saidv member with said slanting cam portion of said downwardly facing surface.

11. In an extension table, a main top, an under supporting frame for the top to which the top is secured there being an open space at one end of the table between the main top and the supporting frame, an extension top section adapted to be located in said open space when not in use, bars attached to said section slidably mounted on and passing through an end member of the supporting frame whereby the top section may be moved outwardly beyondl the end of the table, a member to support saidA extension top section in the plane of the table top, a downwardly facing surface to engage said member when the extension top` section has been drawn outwardly, elevated and moved back to bring the edge in abutting engagement with the end of the main top to hold the extension top section in the same plane as the main top, said downwardly facing surface having a slanting cam portion adapted to engage said member when said extension top section has been raised and is being moved back toward the table top, whereby the free ends of said bars are raised by cam action to contact the under side of the table when said extension top Section is in extended position.

12. In an extension table, a main top, an under supporting frame for the top to which the top is secured there being an open space at the end of the table between the main top and the supporting frame, an extension top section adapted to be located in said open space when not in use, bars attached to said section slidably mounted on and passing through an end member of the supporting frame, whereby the top section may be moved outwardly beyond the end of the table and elevated and moved back in the plane of the table top` withk its edge in abutting engagement with the edge of the top, and means for supporting said extension top section in the plane of the table top comprising a pair of members at each bar, one of said members supported by the table frame and the other on the bar, said members having interengaging surfaces one having a slanting cam portion to engage the other to raise by cam action the free ends of the bars to contact with the under side of said table when said extension top section has been drawn outwardly and is elevated and moved back to bring the edge in abutting engagement with the end of the main top, and means to support the free ends of said bars while said extension top section is being raised to cause said members to engage.

13. In an extension table, a main top, an under supporting frame for the top to which the top is secured there being an open space at the end of the table between the main top and the supporting frame, an extension top` section adapted to be located in said open space when not in use, bars attached to said section slidably mounted on and passing through an end member of the supporting frame, whereby the top section may be moved outwardly beyond the end of the table and elevated and moved back in the plane of the table top with its edge in abutting engagement with the edge of the top, means for supporting said extension top section in the plane of the table top comprising a pair of members at each bar, one of said members supported by the table frame and the other on the bar, said members having interengaging surfaces one having a slanting cam portion to engage the other to raise by cam action the free ends of the bars to contact with the under side of said table when said extension top section has been drawn outwardly and is elevated and moved back to bring the edge in abutting engagement with the end of the main top.

14. In an extension table, a main top, an under supporting frame for the top to which the top is secured there being an open space at the end of the table between the main top and the supporting frame, an extension top section adapted to be located in said open space when not in use, bars attached to said section slidably mounted on and passing through an end member of the supporting frame, whereby the top section may be moved outwardly beyond the end of the table and elevated and moved back in the plane of the table top with its edge in abutting engagement with the edge of the top, means for supporting said extension top section in the plane of the table top comprising a stud on each bar and a cooperating member supported on the end of the frame comprising a downwardly facing hooked member into which said stud is hooked by elevating said extension top section and moving it inwardly toward the top and having a portion to hold said extension top section in the plane of the top, and a slanting portion adapted to engage the stud as the extension top section is raised and moved inwardly toward the top to raise said bars to contact the bottom of the top, and means to support the free ends of said bars while said extension top section is being raised to cause said members to engage.

15. In an extension table, a main top, an under supporting frame for the top to which the top is secured, there being an open space at the end of the table between the main top and the supporting frame, an extension top section adapted to be located in said open space when not in use, bars attached to said section slidably mounted on and passing through an end member of the supporting frame, whereby the top section may be moved outwardly beyond the end of the table and elevated and moved back in the plane of the table top with its edge in abutting engagement with the edge of the top, means for supporting said extension top section in the plane of the table top comprising a stud on each bar and a cooperating member supported on the end of the frame comprising a downwardly facing hooked member into which said stud is hooked by elevating said extension top section and moving it inwardly toward the top and having a portion to hold said extension top section in the plane of the top, and. a slanting portion adapted to engage the stud as the extension top section is raised and moved inwardly toward the top to raise said bars to contact the bottom of the top.

16. In an extension table, a main top, an under supporting frame for the top to which the top is secured there being an open space at the end of the table between the main top and the supporting frame, an extension top section adapted to be located in said open space when not in use, bars attached to said section slidably mounted on and passing through an end member of the supporting frame, whereby the top section may be moved outwardly beyond the end of the table and elevated and moved back in the plane of the table top with its edge in abutting engagement with the edge of the top, means for supporting said extension top section in the plane of the table top comprising a pair of supporting members on said frame to support said extension top section in the plane of the table top, and laterally extending members on said bars to engage said supporting members to support the top, and having downwardly facing slanting faces to engage said supporting members as the extension top section is raised and moved inwardly to raise said bars to contact the bottom of said top.

NICHOLAS BEKIUS. 

